"Last week's much-touted White House meeting between Obama administration environmental leaders and West Virginia Democrats on coal was part of what advocates are calling an increasing dialogue between both sides of the contentious debate."

"U.S. EPA and top lobby groups alike have been stressing cooperation rather than disagreement about proposed and potential rules affecting coal-powered electricity and mining.

While some coal boosters don't see anything positive coming out of dialogue with the White House, those who attended the meeting -- including representatives from the West Virginia Coal Association, the United Mine Workers and coal-country Democrats -- hope new EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy means a change in both attitude and policy."